TRIM27 expression is associated with poor prognosis in sinonasal mucosal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Tripartite motif-containing 27 (TRIM27) has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, the role of TRIM27 in sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) remains poorly understood. MATERIALS & METHODS: We retrospectively examined 28 patients with SNMM treated with between 2003 and 2021. We undertook immunohistochemical analysis of TRIM27, Ki-67, and p-Akt1 expression in SNMM tissues. We also investigated the relationship between TRIM27 expression and clinical characteristics, prognosis, Ki-67 as a tumor growth potential marker, and p-Akt1 as one of the prognostic factors in mucosal melanoma. RESULTS: TRIM27 expression was significantly higher in T4 disease than in T3 disease and was higher in stage IV than in stage III. Patients with high-TRIM27 SNMM had a significantly poorer prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival.There was also a significantly higher rate of distant metastasis. Univariate analysis for OS revealed that TRIM27 and T classification were significant poor prognostic factors. In addition, the Ki-67 positive score and the p-Akt1 total staining score were significantly higher in the high-TRIM27 group than in the low-TRIM27 group. CONCLUSIONS: High TRIM27 expression in SNMM was associated with advanced T classification, poor prognosis and distant metastasis. We suggest that TRIM27 has potential as a novel biomarker for prognosis in SNMM.

Antiferromagnetic topological insulator with selectively gapped Dirac cones.

Antiferromagnetic (AF) topological materials offer a fertile ground to explore a variety of quantum phenomena such as axion magnetoelectric dynamics and chiral Majorana fermions. To realize such intriguing states, it is essential to establish a direct link between electronic states and topology in the AF phase, whereas this has been challenging because of the lack of a suitable materials platform. Here we report the experimental realization of the AF topological-insulator phase in NdBi. By using micro-focused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we discovered contrasting surface electronic states for two types of AF domains; the surface having the out-of-plane component in the AF-ordering vector displays Dirac-cone states with a gigantic energy gap, whereas the surface parallel to the AF-ordering vector hosts gapless Dirac states despite the time-reversal-symmetry breaking. The present results establish an essential role of combined symmetry to protect massless Dirac fermions under the presence of AF order and widen opportunities to realize exotic phenomena utilizing AF topological materials.

Isolation and characterization of senile amyloid--related antigenic substance (SASSAM) from mouse serum. Apo SASSAM is a low molecular weight apoprotein of high density lipoprotein.

Sera obtained from senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) and normal mice contained a substance that reacted with antiserum raised against ASSAM, a novel senile amyloid fibril protein isolated from the liver of SAM. This physiological substance, termed "SASSAM" (serum ASSAM-related antigenic substance), migrated to the albumin/prealbumin region in immunoelectrophoresis and the precipitation line formed with anti-ASSAM antiserum was stained positively with both Amide Black 10 B and Oil Red O/Fat Red 7B solutions, thereby suggesting that SASSAM is an alpha lipoprotein. Using Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography, SASSAM was eluted as a high mol wt form of approximately 200,000 daltons. Fractionation of lipoprotein from normal mouse serum by preparative ultra-centrifugation disclosed that SASSAM was found mainly in high density lipoprotein, HDL (the density is between 1.063 and 1.21 g/cm3). The largest amount of SASSAM was found in the HDL2 fraction (the density is between 1.063 and 1.125) and in this fraction SAA was not detected. Furthermore, ASSAM immunoreactivity appeared in the low mol wt proteins (below 10,000 daltons) of apo HDL separated in the buffer containing 8 M urea through Sephadex G-200. In 8 M urea sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), the major components of apolipoproteins in this position, possibly corresponding to apo C proteins, have the same molecular weight, 5,200 daltons, as ASSAM and this component was labeled by anti-ASSAM antiserum after transfer to nitrocellulose paper.

Reduction of blood eosinophil counts in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis prognosis by investigating changes in the blood eosinophil count and other disease biomarkers after surgery. METHODS: Blood eosinophil numbers and serum interleukin-5 levels were measured in 22 eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and compared with equivalent measures in non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps patients. Differences between well-controlled eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and those who experienced recurrence were also assessed. RESULTS: Blood eosinophil numbers and serum interleukin-5 level decreased after surgery in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients. In this patient group, blood eosinophil counts before surgery were significantly higher in patients who experienced recurrence (825.7 ± 26.1 vs 443.9 ± 76.6 cells/µl, p < 0.05), and decreased significantly after surgery (825.7 ± 26.1 vs 76.7 ± 25.8 cells/µl, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Blood eosinophil numbers may reflect disease severity in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and their prognosis after surgery.

Grading score system: a method for evaluation of the degree of senescence in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM).

For evaluation of the degree of senescence in SAM-P, accelerated senescence prone mouse, formerly called SAM or prone series or P-series, consisting of SAM-P/1, SAM-P/2, SAM-P/3 and SAM-P/4 corresponding to P-1, P-2, P-3 and P-4 series, respectively, in the previous reports, and in SAM-R, accelerated senescence resistant mouse, formerly called resistant series or R-series, consisting of SAM-R/1, SAM-R/2 and SAM-R/3 corresponding to R-1, R-2 and R-3 series, respectively, in the previous reports, the grading score system was adopted. The items to be examined in this system include 11 categories selected from the clinical signs and gross lesions considered to be associated with the aging process. The degree of the senescence in each category was graded from 0 to 4 according to the detailed criteria devised in our laboratory. After 8 months of age each mouse was examined every 4 months, and some of the mice were examined after 2 months of age. In almost all categories, the grading score and incidence began to increase from 4 or 6 months of age and continued to increase with advancing age in both SAM-P and SAM-R. The increase, however, was more marked in SAM-P than in SAM-R. The slow but steady increase in the SAM-R levelled out at 24 months of age and was comparable to that at 12 months of age in SAM-P. In both SAM-P/1 at 8 months of age and SAM-R/2 at 12 months of age, there was a significant reverse correlation between total score of this grading score system and length of residual life after examination. Systematic and extensive studies using the grading score system showed that if the validity of the system is, based on "irreversibility" and "universality" of the changes in each category with advancing age, most categories are valid for evaluation of the degree of senescence. This grading score system is a unique, useful and convenient method for evaluation of the degree of senescence in mice.

Age-related changes of serum apoprotein SASSAM, apoprotein A-I and low-density lipoprotein levels in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM).

Age-related changes of serum concentration of apo SASSAM, an apoprotein of high density lipoprotein (HDL) which cross-reacts with antiserum against murine senile amyloid fibril protein (ASSAM) were estimated in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM-P) and in senescence resistant series (SAM-R), as a control, using a single radial immunodiffusion technique. Serum concentrations of apo A-I, a major apoprotein of HDL, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were also measured. In SAM-P (SAM-P/1 and SAM-P/2) with a high incidence of senile systemic amyloidosis, we observed age-associated decreases in serum apo SASSAM levels. The concentrations of apo SASSAM at 16 months of age were below 40% of the concentration at 2 months of age, regardless of the sex. In contrast with SAM-P, we observed no age-associated decrease of serum apo SASSAM levels in SAM-R (SAM-R/1 and SAM-R/2) with a low incidence of amyloidosis. Serum apo SASSAM concentration was higher in SAM-R/1 than in any other strain of mice observed. Serum apo A-I concentration was highly and significantly correlated with the serum concentration of apo SASSAM and decreased with advancing age in SAM-P but not in SAM-R. Age-related changes of LDL were not observed in any strain, but the concentration was lower in the females. In old SAM-P (16 months' old), the concentration of apo SASSAM decreased to one-third of that in the young SAM-P (4 months' old) and the serum concentrations of albumin and total protein did not decrease, compared with those in the young mice. All these findings taken together suggest that abnormality of metabolism in apo SASSAM, putative precursor of ASSAM, might occur in SAM-P.

Ipsilateral irradiation for carcinomas of tonsillar region and soft palate based on computed tomographic simulation.

PURPOSE: To reduce xerostomia in selected patients with carcinomas of the tonsillar region and soft palate. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We evaluated the treatment results of 32 patients with tonsillar region and soft palate carcinoma treated by radical radiotherapy between May 1989 and December 1996. They have a unilateral tumor that did not cross midline and have no contralateral neck lymphnode metastasis and treated with an ipsilateral technique (an anterior oblique and a posterior oblique field). All patients were planned with computed tomographic (CT) simulation and given 65 Gy in 26 fractions in 6.5 weeks with or without 5-15 Gy boost irradiation. The median follow-up was 44 months (4-86 months). RESULTS: Five-year overall, cause-specific survival, local control, and regional control rate was 64, 79, 74 and 81%. No failure at the contralateral neck occurred. Moderate or severe symptomatic xerostomia was seen in 3 (9%) patients and ostero-radionecrosis requiring surgery occurred in one (3.3%) of 32 patients. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the ipsilateral technique is indicated in patients who had an unilateral tonsillar region or soft palate carcinoma that did not cross midline and have no contralateral neck lymphnode metastasis.

Muscular dystrophy associated with extra-abdominal desmoid tumor showing aberrant chromosome 1 [46,XX,add(1)(p36)].

We report on a 2-year-old girl with probable limb-girdle muscular dystrophy associated with an extra-abdominal desmoid tumor of the right mandible. This association is previously undescribed. The tumor was totally removed. Cytogenetic analysis of the tumor showed a clonal karyotypic abnormality: 46,XX,add(1)(p36) in 3 of 20 cells analyzed. Since an association of a neoplasm with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy has previously been reported in 3 cases, the two abnormalities are likely related causally. The chromosome abnormality in our patient may play a role in the occurrence of her desmoid tumor.

Brainstem lesion in Aicardi-Goutières syndrome.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is characterized by the calcification of basal ganglia, leukodystrophy, and lymphocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid. No brainstem lesion has been described. We report a Japanese girl who presented with delayed development and microcephalus at early infancy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed T2-weighted high intensity in the cerebral white matter and brainstem, and nerve conduction velocity was delayed in the central nervous system, indicating that she manifested dysmyelination in the brainstem white matter similar to that in the cerebral white matter.

Acute myeloblastic leukaemia in a cow.

A myeloblastic leukaemia was found in a 6-year-old Holstein cow. Although macroscopical lesions were not found in parenchymal organs, the animal had many neoplastic cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. By light microscopy most neoplastic cells appeared to be agranular blast cells, but some cells contained acidophilic granules and stained positively for naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase and lysozyme. Ultrastructural examination revealed that many of the blast cells had a few peroxidase-positive granules and corresponded to early promyelocytes.

Hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy in Holstein-Friesian cattle in Japan: association with hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles.

This report deals with the pathology and genetic basis of dilated cardiomyopathy in 10 Holstein-Friesian cows aged 3-6 years, a disease similar to that reported in Simmental-Red Holstein and Holstein-Friesian cattle in several other countries. The main clinical signs were associated with systemic circulatory failure, and at necropsy the animals showed cardiomegaly, severe congestion and fibrosis of the liver, and systemic cardiac oedema. Histologically, hypertrophy and vacuolation of the cardiac muscle fibres and severe fibrosis were noted. Electron microscopically, the sarcoplasm of the hypertrophic fibres was seen to be filled with fine structures of low electron-density, together with thin filamentous material, suggesting myofibrillar lysis. The mitochondria showed increased size, an abnormal cristae pattern and vacuolation due to partial loss of cristae. Pedigree analysis of the affected cattle indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The family line of this cardiomyopathy overlapped with that of hereditary myopathy of the diaphragmatic muscles in Holstein-Friesian cattle, the pathological aspects and inheritance mode of which were reported previously. The available evidence suggested a genetic association between these two pathologically distinct diseases.

Augmentation of the pharmacological action of corydalis tuber by saussurea root in isolated mouse ileum.

To understand the meaning of blending crude drugs in Chinese medicinal prescriptions, the influence of Saussurea root on the pharmacological action of Corydalis tuber was examined. Saussurea root increased the depression of acetylcholine-induced contraction caused by the hot water extract solution of Corydalis tuber in mouse ileum at low dosage, which showed no direct influence on acetylcholine. Dehydrocostuslactone in Saussurea root was characterized as the component having increasing activity and the relationship between the concentration of acetylcholine and the variation in the contraction depressed by Corydalis tuber alone or a mixture of the Corydalis tuber and dehydrocostuslactone was investigated for clarification of the mode of action.

[A case-control study of testicular cancer].

A study on the possible association of maternal factors with testicular cancer was undertaken. Information was obtained from the mothers of testicular cancer cases (N = 37) and the mothers of men without the disease (N = 37). Comparisons were made between the two groups. The cases were collected from the records of nine hospitals, and the controls were selected from five Public Health Centers by individually matching the sex and the year of birth with the testicular cancer cases. The mothers of the cases had significantly fewer live births than the mothers of the controls (the adjusted odds ratio per live birth = 0.4, p = 0.02), when the five following variables had been simultaneously adjusted by the logistic regression analysis. Those five variables included the Quetelet's Index of mothers before pregnancy, the age at an index birth, the duration of breastfeeding for an index child, the birth order of an index child, and the number of induced abortions. The endogenous hormonal milieu of a mother may be associated with the occurrence of testicular cancer in her child.

PIP: A study on the possible association of maternal factors with testicular cancer was undertaken. Comparisons were made among 2 group of women: those mothers of testicular cancer cases (n=37) and those mothers of men without the disease (n=37). Cases were collected from the records of 9 hospitals, and controls were selected from 5 public health centers by individually matching the sex and year of birth with the testicular cancer cases. Mothers of the cases had significantly fewer livebirths than those mothers of the control group (the adjusted odds ratio per livebirths=0.4, p=0.02) when the 5 following variables were simultaneously adjusted by the logistic regression analysis: Quetelet's Index of mothers before pregnancy, age at index birth, duration of breastfeeding for an index child, birth order of an index child, and number of induced abortions. The endogenous hormonal milieu of a mother may also be associated with the occurrence of testicular cancer in her child. (author's modified)

[Clinical research on prevention of recurrence of superficial bladder cancer--comparative study on clinical efficacy of bleomycin intravesical instillation and bestatin].

Objectives and methods of the study: Although superficial bladder carcinoma can be surgically eliminated by TUR, recurrence is common. Various attempts have been made to prevent recurrence, but to date an excellent prophylactic method with few adverse reactions has not been established. We conducted a clinical trial study for prophylaxis of bladder carcinoma recurrence, using intravesical instillation of bleomycin, a drug which cause little local irritation, in combination with bestatin, a recently developed immunomodulator. Bleomycin was selected on the bases of experimental results. That is, in beagle dogs, the 1-hour intravesical instillation of bleomycin gained a drug concentration in the bladder wall of 2.08 micrograms/g, which is approximately 4 times higher than that in the intravenous administration of the same dose. The above bleomycin concentration was thought enough to obtain a good clinical effect. A total of 124 patients were randomly divided into the two treatment groups: An only bleomycin intravesical instillation group (60 mg on each treatment day) (58 patients) and a bleomycin with bestatin (60 mg per every day) group (66 patients). In the 2-year follow-up period the recurrence of bladder carcinoma in the two treatment groups was studied. Analysis of non-recurrence rate by life-table method and Kaplan-Meier method: The non-recurrence rate of the bladder carcinoma every three months was calculated by the life-table and Kaplan-Meier methods. The non-recurrence rate in the bleomycin group was approximately the same as the rates in adriamycin or mitomycin reported in the literature. In the bleomycin + bestatin group, the recurrence rates at 9 months and 12 months were significantly (at P = 0.09 and P = 0.08, respectively) lower, and in addition, even the 2-year overall non-recurrence rate curves showed a nearly significant difference (P = 0.179). Especially in the case of papillary pedunculated tumors, the difference in the non-recurrence rate curves was almost statistically significant (P = 0.104). The stratified analysis on the basis of various tumor factors, were as follows. Pathological grade: Although no differences were found in Grades 1 and 2, the bleomycin + bestatin group had a lower recurrence rate in Grade 3 cases (P = 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Clinical efficacy of oxendolene (antiandrogen) and bunazosin hydrochloride (alpha-adrenergic blocker) in the treatment of prostatism--comparative study of oxendolone, bunazocin hydrochloride and their combination].

Antiandrogen and alpha-adrenergic blockers have recently been tried in the medical treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy and bladder neck contracture. We herein report our results of a randomized comparative study on the clinical efficacy of oxendolone, bunazosin hydrochloride (bunazosin) and their combination for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy and bladder neck contracture. The attending doctors evaluated at twelve weeks the improvement rate for three treatment regimens, 400 mg/day oxendolone, 3 mg/day bunazosin and a combination of both. Oxendolone + bunazosin showed the highest improvement rate in the evaluation of each subjective symptom and objective finding and of both. Oxendolone + bunazosin tended to show a better clinical efficacy than the other of these regimens, when the improvement was defined as that with more than one degree in the severity of retarded voiding, prolonged voiding, urinary stream condition, abdominal pressure on voiding and residual urine sensation. The improvement of such subjective symptoms seemed to occur earlier with oxendolone + bunazosin or bunazosin than with oxendolone. A significant difference was shown among the three treatment regimens in the general improvement rate on four subjective symptoms, with oxendolone + bunazosin being the highest followed by bunazosin and oxendolone in this order. The improvement rates of maximum and mean flow rate which are most important parameters to evaluate the voiding condition, at twelve weeks were significantly higher with oxendolone + bunazosin. No serious side effects were observed in this study, although treatment regimens containing bunazosin caused some minor side effects. These side effects could be prevented by the use of initial low doses of bunazosin with a subsequent gradual increment up to 3 mg/day. Taking the differences in the mechanism of oxendolone and bunazosin and the results of our study into consideration, we believe that the combination of oxendolone and bunazosin would be more useful in a clinical situation.

[A case of Castleman's disease with a variable neuropsychiatric symptomatology].

A case of 44-year-old woman who had shown psychiatric symptoms before and during the course of Castlemans' disease was presented. For four years, she first suffered from a paranoid-hallucinatory state and then a depressive one episodically. In the course of the latter, severe anemia developed. She was diagnosed as Castleman's disease, because the increased serum level of gamma-globulin and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and multiple lymphomata were evidenced. A paranoid-hallucinatory state relapsed about one year later from this episode. At last, some bulbar and cerebellar symptoms, and a delirium suddenly occurred. The ischemic changes at the level of the pons and midbrain were revealed by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. It is certainly that both neurological and psychiatric symptoms were related to the lesions. This ischemic lesions may have resulted from the anoxia secondary to the severe anemia and/or hyperviscosity syndrome in the disease. On the other hand, the increased serum level of IL-6 as well as the ischemic lesions might have caused psychiatric symptoms in this case, as the interferone which is one of the analogues of IL-6, is known to induce emotional and behavioral symptoms.

[A case of common bile duct cancer responding to MMC leucovorin, 5-FU, and UFT combination chemotherapy and radiation].

A case of unresectable common bile duct cancer involving the portal vein and with Virchow lymph node metastasis was treated with MMC, Leucovorin, 5-FU and UFT combination chemotherapy as well as radiation. The case was a 71-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital with vomiting and anorexia. Abdominal US study showed obstructive jaundice. The PTCD tube was pierced to dilate the intrahepatic bile duct. Bile juice cytology was class V. Abdominal CT showed paraaortic lymph node metastasis. Angiography revealed portal vein invasion, and the diagnosis was unresectable common bile duct cancer. We started anticancer therapy and radiation. The anticancer therapy selected was MMC, LEUCOVORIN, 5-FU and UFT combination chemotherapy. After 2 cycles of the treatment, Virchow lymph node completely disappeared and the symptoms diminished. These combination therapies were effective for common bile duct cancer.